Low blood sugar - newborns: when to get help

1. 1

   Is any of this happening now?

   Call 911

   Call emergency services if your baby has a seizure, becomes unresponsive, turns blue, has serious breathing difficulty, or has repeated pauses in breathing.

   If you have been given an emergency hypoglycaemia plan, follow it while help is being arranged.

   A home glucose result should not delay emergency care for a baby with serious symptoms.

   And for anyone, someone who:

   • is bleeding heavily and it will not stop with firm pressure
   Other emergency signs, for anyone

   • Someone who is struggling to breathe, gasping, choking, or cannot get words out
   • Someone who has chest pain, tightness or pressure lasting more than a few minutes
   • Someone who has sudden weakness or drooping on one side of the face or body, slurred speech, or sudden confusion
   • Someone who is unconscious, or cannot be woken
   • Someone who has had a seizure that will not stop, or does not wake up afterwards
   • Someone who has lips or skin that look pale, blue, grey or blotchy
   • Someone who you believe has taken an overdose or swallowed something poisonous
   Yes, one of theseNo, none of these
2. 2

   Is any of this happening?

   Be seen today

   While your baby is in hospital, tell the newborn care team immediately if your baby becomes unusually shaky, cold, difficult to wake, or unable to feed.

   Do not wait for the next planned glucose check.

   Seek urgent medical assessment for a newborn who:

   • Is feeding much less than usual or repeatedly cannot finish feeds
   • Is unusually sleepy, floppy, jittery, or difficult to wake
   • Has repeated vomiting or seems increasingly unwell
   • Has an abnormally low temperature
   • Has known hypoglycaemia and readings below the baby's discharge plan
   Yes, one of theseNo, none of these

Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Low blood sugar - newborns. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.